The next day Sakura woke bright and early, ate breakfast with her parents and Chojuro before heading off for her first day of part time work at Leaf's General Hospital, when lunch time rolled around and she got her break.
Naruto, Sasuke with Chojuro in tow showed up and they steered her in the direction of the tea shop that served curry allowing the pinkette to chatter her hearts content and the three boys sat listening as she told them everything that had happened so far.
Like how one little boy who'd tried to fly off the roof of his house playing ninja with his friends had broken his arm in four different places that the medics couldn't fully repair the damage so she'd helped put his arm in a cast.
And an older girl had come in sporting this odd rash which turned out to be poison ivy when the medics had checked her over and she'd given the girl the hand made calamine lotion and a one prescription she'd written in case the teenager ran out and needed more.
When lunch came to an end, Sasuke, Chojuro and Naruto escorted Sakura back to the hospital for her remaining two hours and they split up, the two boys of team 7 heading off to find their sensei and get in a good training session and Chojuro back to the Haruno House.
In this manner with Sakura doing her best, thirteen days passed making it two weeks that she'd been back in the Leaf Village, and bypassing her first month as an expecting mother and a week into her second month.
It was during her lunch hour with Chojuro, Naruto and Sasuke that she learned the news "Yeah Kakashi-sensei told us yesterday after we left, but apparently there's something called the Chunin Exams coming up" the blonde mumbled around a bite of ramen.
Sakura paused in taking a sip of her customary blackberry tea, the reason she'd become so obsessed with it as she'd learned from one of the books she'd checked out from the library was it was a craving a side effect of being pregnant.
"However Kakashi-sensei also told us that because you are pregnant therefor unable to join us that we will not be allowed to participate in the Chunin Exams, we have to enter as a full team" Sasuke sighed trying not to sound as aggravated as he felt about that particular rule.
His attempt at reigning in his anger was for naught as his female teammate lowered her head, bangs shielding her eyes and shame wafting off her in waves, Sasuke's mouth opened to apologize just as Naruto took aim and let loose a particularly brutal kick on his shin.
What came out instead was a groan of pain as Sasuke bent and rubbed his leg while simultaneously glaring at Naruto "Teme we agreed that you wouldn't let your stupid frustration make Sakura-chan feel bad" the blonde growled not happy in the least.
This caused the pinkette to curl further into herself "I'm sorry alright, I'm not angry at you Sakura, just the stupid rule, there's always next time" Sasuke hastily apologized clearly not use to doing so especially to girls.
Chojuro pressed his lips together "S..Sa…Sakura-chan" he rubbed her back trying to get her to stop blanking them as she was doing, it was a habit that had formed immediately upon coming back to the Leaf Village and he wished they were still in the Mist Village.
Being around to many people day in and day out, with her friends hounding her for answers and swarming her even though they tried to keep the majority of it away from her had made Sakura relapse slightly and he'd told that to Mei in his letters since she'd requested updates every other day.
Finally after several agonizing minutes, Sakura unfolded herself from where she'd pressed into his side trying to hide from sight drying tear tracks on her face and looking extremely upset despite being apologized to "I'm okay" she lied through her teeth nodding at Sasuke.
Then she payed for her meal and left without waiting for her teammates or Chojuro, heading back to the hospital by herself "I..I hop..hope yo..your happy wi..with you..yourself Sasuke-san" the pale blue haired teen frowned deeply at the Uchiha.
Sasuke put his head in his hands "I feel like an ass kami I didn't mean it to sound like I was disappointed in her that…" he trailed off with a sigh, then looked at the still full plate, they had only just sat down ten minutes before Naruto had opened his mouth.
Naruto shook his head "I knew you were a Teme, but Sakura-chan didn't even eat more than two bites before you opened your mouth" he stood placed ten ryo down and left the restaurant trying to come up with various ways to make the pinkette laugh again.
Apparently the Uchiha wasn't going to get any sympathy from the shy teenager either as Chojuro sighed and hurried off after paying for his portion of the meal and tried to catch up with Sakura but it was far to late and she'd already thrown herself back into work.
Left alone, Sasuke sat at the table for fifteen minutes longer brooding as Uchiha were known to do before making a decision "Excuse me waiter, can I have a flask of blackberry tea and the rest of this curry and those dango boxed up to take with me" he called already pulling out the money needed.
He paid for the hot beverage, grabbed the boxes in hand and with determination in every step he took, headed for the hospital to apologize properly to Sakura, when he was stood before the entrance doors Sasuke took a deep breath and nodded entering the hospital.
"Hello and Welcome to Leaf's General Hospital! How May I Help You Today?" came the standard greeting/question when he approached the front desk to inquire about the pinkette's whereabouts and make sure she got to eat.
Sasuke swallowed thickly feeling out of his element "I'm looking for Sakura Haruno, I kind of messed up and she left without eating lunch and I know she needs to eat" tumbled from his mouth and he shifted awkwardly as the secretary raised a brow at him.
Before gesturing to a medic "This boy is looking for Haruno-san according to him she didn't finish lunch and is possibly hungry" the woman seated behind the front desk said when a random male medic approached seeing the beckoning hand motions.
"That would explain the way Haruno-san threw herself head first into work with a blank expression on her face" the man said with a grimace, that girl was going to push herself to hard and the head medic was not going to be happy with the pinkette if Sakura hurt herself.
His words caused the boy to cringe and while he was curious, he did lead Sasuke down the hall to the cafeteria where Sakura was taking a quick break, when she saw him she jerked upright and tried to run "Wait Sakura" he called stopping her in her tracks.
When she turned to face him Sasuke winced at the apathetic expression she gave him "Haven't you had enough of taking your anger out on me or do you need to hurt me even more like he did" she snapped heatedly after a moment.
The Uchiha sighed "I didn't come here to take anything out on you, I came to apologize properly, I'm sorry Sakura, I didn't mean it the way it sounded and I regret that you thought I was angry with you before I could say this" Sasuke apologized awkwardly.
Sakura blinked her eyes at him contemplating whether she should believe him before crossing her arms over her chest "Those words sounded like you were disappointed in me because of what Itachi did and kami he mocked me enough and when you, I mean they hurt really bad Sasuke" she frowned really upset at the moment.
"What happened with my brother was not your fault Sakura, he's just a bastard, I was frustrated yes but not at you, just the rule of the exams, never and I mean never could I blame you for what Itachi forced on you" Sasuke pushed onward.
After a moment her expression lightened "Thanks for coming to you know apologize Sasuke" Sakura rubbed her hands together as her hurt vanished and while it made her realize the Uchiha did in fact have feelings that didn't just stem from anger.
It wasn't enough to get her to like him again "Oh right I brought the rest of your lunch since you only got to eat a few bites and another flask of blackberry tea" Sasuke thrust the boxes of food and the container of tea gently into her hands before vanishing from sight to her amusement.
Grateful that she wouldn't have to wait for hours to eat and feeling very hungry Sakura sat down and finished the rest of her now cold lunch and drank her tea before going back to work, so when Chojuro showed up to take her back to the house.
She was feeling much, much better "Y..You seem hap..happy S..Saku..Sakura-chan di..did so..something goo..good happen at th..the hospital today" the pale blue haired teen who wield Hiramekarei commented on her serene smile as they hurried to the Haruno House.
"Mhm Sasuke came and apologized more properly probably hurting his pride" she quipped humorously and Chojuro smiled relieved that everything had worked itself out, after a moment he bit his lip considering telling her what he'd thought up.
They were a couple streets away from the house "I co..could te..tell that you we..were very dis..disappointed Saku..Sakura-chan ab..about the who..whole chunin exams thing" he started suddenly and she turned her head in his direction.
Before nodding slowly "Yeah it seems kind of unfair that Naruto and Sasuke don't get to participate because of me and while I know it's not my fault I'm in this situation, it still stinks and I wish there was a way to let them do what they want so I'm not holding them back" she admitted.
He took a deep breath "W..what if I su..suggested to you..your Hokage-sama tha..that I wou..would tak..take your pla..place in the exams t..to compl…complete your team tempo..temporarily" he rushed out.
Her eyes widened in shock "You'd do that Chojuro" she asked and he nodded his head "I..I don't know what to say I mean I know that those two would be glad but you'd be stuck doing the entire chunin exams unless you didn't pass some part of it" she babbled.
"I..if it wa..was for yo..you Sakura-chan th..that would al..also be com..completing my mission tha..that Mizukage-sama gave me, I..I wo..would be mo..more than happy to ta..take your pl..place in these Chu..Chunin Exams" Chojuro stuttered out horribly as he finished what he had to say.
Three seconds was all it took for the pinkette to let out the happiest squeal she'd ever given him probably bursting several passerby's eardrums as she threw herself at him and gave him the most bone crushing hug she could manage.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you" Sakura chanted hugging him so tight that it felt like he really was being crushed and his face felt like it was sun-burnt with how bad he was blushing from the prolonged contact with Sakura.
Chojuro patted her back gently and the pressure lightened considerably enough so he could breathe properly and respond "D..don't men..mention i..it Sakura-chan" he gave her that shy smile and she finally pulled away releasing him.
Her own face stained a dark red and emerald orbs sparkling with her happiness "Oh but we should go ask Hokage-sama if it's okay first" she seemed to realize that throwing a boy from another village on her team for the Chunin Exams wouldn't exactly work.
They had to get permission and find out when exactly the exams were set to begin "R..right I al..also sen..sent Mizu..Mizukage-sama a l..letter as..asking as well" Chojuro admitted as they turned and headed in the direction of the Hokage Tower.
"Good idea Chojuro, now let us hope that this all works out and we can tell those two tomorrow" Sakura clapped her hands giddily, the one thing she feared more than anything was holding her team back and if this idea of theirs worked, Naruto and Sasuke would get to advance their ninja rank.
Chojuro nodded "Ye..yes let's h..hope" he said while keeping up with the pinkette easily as they walked and climbed the stairs of the Hokage Tower, him waiting patiently as Sakura asked if the Hokage was free, before they headed down the hall to his office to speak to him.
Hiruzen looked surprised to see the duo standing before him shifting back and forth nervously "Is there something I can help you with Sakura-san, Chojuro-san" he asked signing his name on a document and setting it aside on the pile of completed paperwork.
Sakura bit her lip and wrung her hands together "Well today Naruto and Sasuke mentioned that the Chunin Exams are coming up" she began rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet eyes bouncing around the office she was standing in.
"An..and the..they were rather disappointed th..that they couldn't part…participate be..because of a rule where th..they need thei..their full team" Chojuro added not stuttering as much as usual even when the Hokage raised a graying brow at them.
Looking curious as to what they were on about "But Chojuro thought that if it was allowed he could take my place on Team 7 for the duration of the chunin exams allowing those two to participate, so is it Hokage-sama" Sakura finished giving him a wide eyed hopeful look.
Before he told the duo in front of him his answer, he had to find out why "What would you be getting out of this arrangement say I did let you become a temporary member of Team 7 and let you participate in the exams in Sakura-san's place Chojuro-san" Hiruzen inquired.
The boy straightened his spine and looked him in the eye with a very serious expression "Sa..Sakura-chan's happiness to help her teammates advance in the ninja world would also benefit her and ma..make her v..very happy" Chojuro stated hardly stuttering at all for the first time.
He was tempted to chuckle but Hiruzen picked up another document and signed his name on it before speaking "Then consider yourself a temporary member of Team 7 Chojuro-san, the exams start in a week and three days, take this time to get in sync with your temporary teammates" he said.
It was worth it he supposed to see Sakura so happy as her eyes brightened in response "Thank you Hokage-sama" she bounced up and down "Come on Chojuro, we have to tell Kakashi-sensei, have a good day Hokage-sama" Sakura rushed out eager to tell her sensei the news.
And make him swear not to tell the two boys because she wanted to do it just to see their first reaction and their expressions to the news, when the odd duo was gone, Hiruzen allowed himself to finally chuckle as he worked on his paperwork.
"Wh..where do you supp..suppose Kakashi-san might be" Chojuro asked once they were already down the steps of the tower and trying to find the silver haired nin who could be very elusive sometimes even with his gravity defying hair.
Sakura craned her neck every which way wishing she could use her chakra but that was out of the question, it had been blocked for the duration of her pregnancy by the head medic on the Hokage's demand and she was just fine with that.
"Hmm he might be at the memorial stone" she said after a moment leading the boy all over the Leaf Village and trying not to wear herself out at the same time, by taking multiple breaks along the way until they did finally reach the memorial stone.
As she'd thought Kakashi was there staring at it like usual but at their approach he turned and gave his signature eye crinkle smile "Sakura-chan what are you doing so close to the training grounds, I seriously hope you weren't trying to train" he was half a step away from scolding her.
Hastily the pinkette shook her head "No, no, no Kakashi-sensei, we got permission from Hokage-sama and he said it was alright, so Chojuro is gonna be taking my place in the Chunin Exams, but don't tell Naruto or Sasuke cause I want to tell them" she rambled.
Kakashi blinked his onyx eye at her before chuckling "Relax Sakura-chan" he ruffled her hair messing the short pink locks up until she batted his hands away gently, then he turned to Chojuro, who looked very unprepared for the whirlwind that was Sakura.
"Is this what you want Chojuro-san, to participate in the exams in Sakura-chan's place" Kakashi asked stuffing his hands deep into his pockets pinning the boy in place with his obsidian orb curious and wary at the same time, because he wasn't sure if this was the best idea.
Just a second after he'd been asked Chojuro nodded "Y..yes o..of course an..and I even a..asked Mizukage-sama perm..permission to, I'm su..sure she'll yes to, bu..but I'm doing it for Sakura-chan" he squirmed beneath that one eye but managed to say everything he wanted to.
Mei was sure to be proud of him no doubt when he did go back, he'd grown a backbone and it was only getting stronger the longer he spent around Sakura, guiding her through the unfortunate incident that had happened to her.
Seeing as he didn't have much choice and there was no way in hell he was going to upset his student by saying no, Kakashi sighed "Very well Chojuro-san welcome to Team 7 and of course Sakura-chan I won't tell the boys" he stated.
Her eyes lit up again and she flashed him an extremely happy smile "Right then after lunch come with Naruto and Sasuke here and we'll work on teamwork for the rest of the time we have before the chunin exams" Kakashi said then gave a two fingered salute and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Now that their little side quest had been completed Chojuro turned to Sakura "Re..ready to go back Sakura-chan" he inquired as they headed back the way they'd come, no doubt they were probably gonna be yelled at by Mebuki.
But it was worth it to be scolded by the blonde woman "Yeah after all that excitement I'm a little tired and ready to rest and read on the couch until dinner time" Sakura nodded walking much slower than before.
It was noticed immediately by the two anbu guard trailing behind the odd colored duo "What do you think should we help them" a masculine voice came from the one wearing a dog anbu mask, keeping Sakura well within his sights.
They'd been ordered beneath the Hokage's nose by Ibiki to watch her "We should wait until she can't go any further, she's still walking right now and she won't appreciate being treated like a fragile doll" the second spoke a feminine voice came out in a huff.
Decided for the moment they resumed tailing the pinkette as they walked towards the residential area of the village, taking multiple breaks along the way until Sakura and Chojuro reached the Haruno House and disappeared within.
Like he'd suspected Mebuki was quite cross with them until he gave her that shy smile and Sakura announced the news, the blonde woman sighed, crossed her arms before throwing her hands in the air causing her daughter to giggle at her.
"Good grief you had me worried, just promise me the next time you decide to do something other than come home you'll tell me" Mebuki warned before heading back into the kitchen to start the preparation for dinner and a small dessert that Sakura was for sure to appreciate.
"We promise Mom" Sakura aimed a smile at the woman's back as she and Chojuro headed into the living room, where Kizashi was seated reading a book himself "Hey Dad, we're back" she greeted, even though she knew he already knew they were back.
Considering the screeching Mebuki had commenced when they'd stepped foot in the door without even having the chance to take off their shoes, the blonde woman had started in though it was much tamer than usual.
Kizashi raised a hand "Yo Sakura-chan, Chojuro-kun welcome back" he said having gotten use to having the other teenager around and they'd all settled into a familiar routine, greeting done, he returned his attention back onto his book.
Sakura lightly rolled her emerald eyes and grabbed a book she'd bought from the bookstore in the Mist Village about teenage pregnancies, while she was barely thirteen and not like the ones described in the books, she read it anyway.
Getting comfortable in the arm chair, while Chojuro settled himself on the couch opposite her checking on Hiramekarei since he'd had no chances to use the legendary blade that had been given to him since coming to the Leaf Village, because he hadn't been outside the village in all these two weeks.
Nearly an hour passed before Mebuki appeared in the living room door way "Dinner is ready you three come eat while the food is hot and yes Sakura-dear you have blackberry tea at your plate" the blonde said.
Her cheeks turned red, she couldn't help it that she'd taken an extreme liking to that particular brand of tea, but Sakura closed her book after earmarking the page she was on and with Chojuro and her father followed her mother into the kitchen so that they could all eat.
Afterwards she headed up the stairs and took a bath soaking in some herbs that eased the pain her muscles felt due to the pregnancy it was much harder on her because she was underage after all and when she was done.
She dressed in a nightgown that Mei had gifted to her, complete with tights, checked all the traps that had been set up making sure they hadn't been tripped before heading down the hall "Goodnight Chojuro" Sakura called.
The door to the guest room opened revealing the pale blue haired teen dressed for bed like her "Goo..goodnight Saku..Sakura-chan sleep we..well" he smiled and they gave each other the customary goodnight hug "Goo..goodnight Mebuki-san, Kizashi-san" Chojuro called after a minute.
Getting matching responses as Sakura did the same, before she waved and headed back to her own room which was warded with multiple traps on both sides and her window was heavily booby trapped and Sakura slept much easier than any other night.
It felt like she was on repeat as she woke up the next morning and ate breakfast with her parents and Chojuro before heading off to the hospital again, it was during her lunch break that things became much more interesting as Naruto, Sasuke and Chojuro showed up to escort her to the tea shop.
And she ordered the same meal sweet potato-vegetable curry and rice with a cup of blackberry tea, Sakura waited until everyone had gotten their meal "How has your mornings been" she asked practically bouncing in her seat as she was very eager to share her news.
"Ran into Dog boy and we got into an argument but other than that everything's been alright I suppose" Naruto mumbled around his ramen, chopsticks already dipping into the bowl for more, he was just glad this place even had his favorite food.
Though it wasn't as good as Ichiraku's of course, but he'd sacrifice one meal at Ichiraku any time of the day if his female teammate asked it of him "I took to organizing the old library at the Uchiha Compound and found a couple of books you might be interested in Sakura" Sasuke said.
Nudging said books over to her, "I..I got a ve..very promi..promising lett..letter from my Mi..Mizukage-sama" Chojuro hinted and Sakura took that as her cue to share their news as she lowered her spoon to the table.
Before folding her hands neatly in her lap "My morning was great and we have some news for you, yesterday after I got done at the hospital, Chojuro came up with this awesome idea and well now he's a temporary member of team 7 which means…" the pinkette trailed off just waiting for it.
"WHICH MEANS WE CAN BE IN THE CHUNIN EXAMS" Naruto shouted exuberantly jumping from the booth they were all sitting at and dancing around to everyone's amusement especially his friends as they watched him.
Sasuke was surprised the blonde had caught on so quickly before he turned his ebony eyes on the mist nin that had come to stay in their village for however long it was before his teammate gave birth "You don't know how much that means to the Dope and I" he nodded.
Chojuro shook his head "N..not re..really bu..but I know what it me..means to Saku..Sakura-chan an..and see..seeing you t..two adv..advance wo..would make her happy" he said, letting Sasuke know in a certain amount of words.
That he wasn't doing it for them, but for the pinkette sitting at his side, sporting the widest smile emerald orbs sparkling with her happiness, Naruto was still dancing around completely oblivious "Thank you then for caring about Sakura, when I couldn't" Sasuke nodded again.
No more words were exchanged between the two boys still sitting at the booth and eventually the Uchiha managed to drag Naruto back down so they could finish lunch "See you later Sakura-chan" the blonde waved as he, Chojuro and Sasuke headed off for teamwork training.
And Sakura headed back to work, when she did get off around two, there was no one to walk with Kakashi must have made the training session extra long to get Chojuro in sync with Naruto and Sasuke, she paused halfway to her house.
Debating on whether she wanted to go find the boys or continue home, the pinkette bit her lip and her green eyes scanned the streets for anyone familiar just her luck would have it, Inoichi was coming her way and she called out to him "Inoichi-san" Sakura waved drawing attention onto herself.
The blonde turned in her direction and gave her that fatherly smile he always gave her "Hello Sakura-chan, did you just get done with your part time job at the hospital" he asked once he was stood before her on the side of the road.
"A bit ago anyway th..that's not why I called out to you" Sakura lowered her voice "Um I wanted to go see how training was going with those boys but my mom got a little touchy yesterday when we didn't return right away and I was wondering" she rambled before falling silent.
Inoichi chuckled softly "If I would let your mother know where it was you were going to be, I don't mind" he ruffled her hair, waved and headed in the direction of the Haruno House, Sakura sighed in relief and turned resolutely in the direction of the training grounds.
Eager to see how Chojuro was faring with her teammates and hurried down the streets taking care not to go to fast as usual but getting in a little extra exercise, one of her books had said it was okay so long as it was done in moderation after all.
Sakura was little more than halfway there when she turned down an alley taking a shortcut and slammed head first into another person, she would have fallen to if arms hadn't come up and wrapped around her shoulders.
Her emerald eyes met shocked onyx before they became indignant "Hey watch it you freaking nobody" the older teen shoved her away from him and she fell against the wooden fence that lined the alley they were standing in.
At his actions Sakura cringed and cowered away from him especially when he raised his hand "KANKURO STOP RIGHT THERE" a female voice screamed from the other end of the alley and the teenager was halted in his tracks.
With her heart making a permanent residence in her throat and beating wildly in fear Sakura took her chance to scramble backwards away from the duo as a blonde with teal eyes stormed in their direction radiating fury.
"Well she shouldn't have run into me and I expect you little brat to apologize or I'll get angry and you won't like it when I get angry" the one she now knew as Kankuro turned and spat at her glaring at her with his onyx eyes.
Her hands shook and her skin broke out in a cold sweat as close to hyperventilation as she'd ever been since she'd been rescued tears pricked harshly at her eyes and a small whimper escaped from her throat around her heart it seemed.
Even Kankuro seemed shocked that she was reacting badly just to him raising his hand at her "You took it to far Kankuro, I think you should be the one apologizing" his sister hissed at him eyeing the pinkette in concern and fear.
When he approached, she flinched and squeezed her eyes shut a few tears trickling down her cheeks, Temari sighed "Hey now he didn't mean it, my brother is an idiot, I'm Temari what's your name" the blonde kneeled down at the girls side.
Looking around making sure that he wasn't there yet, she was quiet for another moment before she managed to speak around the lump "S..Sakura" she said softly glancing up warily and eyeing the brown haired boy fearfully.
Things went from bad to worse as Sasuke, Naruto and Chojuro chose to appear using the alley as a shortcut and all three boys stared in horror "What d..did you do to her" Chojuro rushed forward looking for the first time angry since Sakura had known him.
He was the first one to reach her side and gently help her to her feet, keeping her behind him "We didn't do nothing you stinkin brat" Kankuro spat and Chojuro felt more than saw Sakura flinched and twist her hand tightly into his shirt.
"I wouldn't say that Kankuro, you pushed her down and tried to hit her" Temari glared at her brother taking the pinkette's side, even if they weren't exactly allies with the Leaf Village, trying to harm a shinobi of another village could get them disqualified from the Chunin Exams.
And Gaara would be pissed at them and their mission would fail "WHAT" Naruto roared charging forward between the two groups and planting himself next to Sakura "You don't hit her, EVER Because she's Pr…" the rest of the word that he was going to say was cut off.
Naruto was momentarily confused before he remembered the white haired man saying that he wouldn't be able to talk about that subject with anyone unless they already knew what was going on and the seal had activated to prevent him from spilling the proverbial beans.
Similarly Sasuke was pissed as he stomped his way over to his temporary teammate and sole female teammate "Are you injured anywhere Sakura" he asked looking her over in concern, while glaring at the duo before the four of them.
Thankfully Sakura shook her head "No I fell into the fence" her voice came out as a tremble and she still shaking horribly as she was surrounded on all sides blocking her in, relieved Sasuke turned all of his attention on Temari and Kankuro.
Just as a gravely voice filled the small alley "Someone want to tell me what's going on" all eyes turned to see the red head appear in a swirl of sand, demonic chakra coming off of him in waves and insane looking pale green eyes.
Temari and Kankuro turned looking at the boy with fear filled glances as they tried to explain what had happened and prevent themselves from getting hurt, they failed horribly and Naruto jumped in having no qualms about telling the truth to the strange red head.
"He tried to Hit Sakura-chan and that is something that is very and I mean VERY much Frowned upon" the blonde ground out between clenched teeth and Sasuke had never seen Naruto act as mature as he was being right then.
Chojuro nodded, arms crossed over his chest "Y..yes n..no harm i..is to come to Sakura-chan b..by order of the Ho..hokage and the Mizukage" he stated reaching back and grasping her hand in his own so that she would know they were there for her, that he was there.
In response to his action she squeezed his hand gratefully "And just why is she not to be harmed that both the Hokage and a Kage from another village would demand it" the red head approached eyes narrowed on his siblings.
Sasuke chose to respond "That is something we can't speak about outside of this group and a select few others, classified information and no amount of asking will get us to tell you because of these" he lifted his shirt to show off the seal.
Naruto and Chojuro doing the same "What about the girl does she have one of those seals as well" Kankuro grumbled not liking that he was being ignored and afraid that he was going to be in serious trouble if it turns out these boys were telling the truth.
At his words if anything the pinkette was pressed closer to Chojuro, while Naruto and Sasuke crowded in a little more with her back to the fence not allowing anyone near "She does but if you think for one minute we're gonna let you touch her again your dead wrong" Naruto snarled.
"Why don't you let Sakura-san speak for herself, do you have a seal like those three" Temari didn't like that the girl was being forced to keep back instead of fending for herself, it was honestly ridiculous.
Chojuro didn't like this at all and he was glad they'd arrived in time "S..Sakura-chan" he turned his head slightly to see her looking into frightened jade eyes "I..it's okay" he soothed quietly knowing that this was a situation right out of her nightmares.
After a moment she nodded "I do" she raised her arm showing off the seal before twisting her hand back in Chojuro's shirt clearly not going to do anymore than that and what she wanted now was to go home and stay far away from anyone who'd try to hit her again.
"I apologize for my siblings incompetence and for trying to harm you, Temari, Kankuro come" Gaara ordered turning and heading off at the opposite end of the alley, the brown haired boy glaring at them as he left and Temari wearing a grimace, both bearing matching frightened looks in their eyes.
When the trio were gone, the anbu guard who'd been watching and had been about to intervene before Naruto, Sasuke and Chojuro had gotten there appeared before them "Good job protecting Sakura-san, now go along and make sure she gets home" the male said.
"Yes before she passes out from shock" the female anbu said nudging the quartet of thirteen or almost thirteen year old's as was the case for Naruto, off before she and her partner vanished in a plume of smoke to tail Sakura before giving their reports to Ibiki.
That detailed all that had happened during the confrontation, with Chojuro holding her hand, Sakura allowed herself to be pulled away from the alley they were standing in "What were you doing there in the first place Sakura-chan" Naruto frowned looking upset.
And she felt guilty it was her fault after all for not listening or even just going back "I'..I'm sorry, I just wanted to see ho..how training was going for you three" she sniffled swiping at her eyes at tears fell from her cheeks in a never ending torrent.
Sasuke sighed and hoping this wasn't taken the wrong way "I'm glad I'm not a girl you know, being pregnant sounds like it sucks what with having those horrible mood swings and being temperamental if someone says the wrong thing and you get emotional or angry over it" he stated looking in the opposite direction.
The blonde at his side choked on air and coughed while giving him an are you stupid look while probably laughing maniacally in his head about how he was soon going to die by the hands of their pink haired teammate for that comment.
Chojuro felt horror well up in him "I…I don't thi..think Sa..Sasuke-san me..meant that in a ba..bad way Sak..Sakura-chan ri..right Sasu..Sasuke-san" he stuttered horribly trying to prevent Sakura from getting further upset.
But the way he'd intended his words to be taken worked and Sakura let out a little laugh "Pfffftttt your absolutely ridiculous Sasuke and yeah it does kind of suck" she giggled trying and failing to not break down laughing like a crazy person in the middle of the street.
Glad that he'd got her laughing again Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest feeling pretty smug "You are damn lucky Teme that Sakura-chan didn't cry at that utterly moronic comment" Naruto gave him a small glare before stepping up to the pinkette and giving her a quick side hug.
He would never know how relieved the Uchiha was that Sakura hadn't cried either, watching as Sakura returned the blondes hug with her free arm before giving the pinkette a small hug himself as they turned and headed in the direction of their own houses.
Leaving Chojuro in charge of their teammate "A..are you re..really gonna be o..okay Sakura-chan" the pale blue haired teen asked gently looking her over in concern like he hadn't been able to earlier as he'd kept her to his back.
Sakura nodded quietly "Besides pushing me a little that's all he really did that girl stopped him when he raised his hand and I feel like I overreacted just the thought of getting hit reminds me of you know him" she wiped her eyes dry feeling sick as she talked about Itachi Uchiha.
Kisame had never hit her, but Itachi he'd hit her, bit her, marked her in every way possible, her eyes darkened in remembrance but Chojuro was quick to snap her out of those depressive thoughts "D..Don't think ab..about it Sakura-chan" he said stopping them for a moment.
"Yo..you had eve..every right to r..react ho..however you want..wanted" Chojuro burst out before sweeping the pinkette into his arms, hugging her right there in the middle of the street not even getting embarrassed about it for the first time.
But he wasn't done "I..I promi..promised Mizukage-sama and A..Ao-san and yo..your Hokage-sama th..that I wo..would prot..protect you and m..make sure yo..you were always hap..happy and I..I swear it on m..my honor as a swordsman that I will protect you" he murmured into her hair.
This caused her to burst into another round of tears but Chojuro knew these were happy tears as she saw the truth in his action and in his words that he would allow nothing to hurt her ever again and he wouldn't, he'd made a promise after all.
After several minutes he pulled back and the duo resumed their trek to the Haruno house, informing the pinkette's parents of what had happened and that the situation had been dealt with, before the four of them ate dinner and Sakura was sent off for her bath.
It was obvious she was still a little in shock when she made her rounds and said goodnight to everyone before going to bed, barely checking her traps and Chojuro sighed, promising to try and find something the next day to get her mind focused on something good and not negative.